can anything be done if a parent objects about the other parent applying for time off school?

[Horsemad]

The parents are married, but it is not an easy relationship.

One parent has applied to school for time off for child to partake on an overseas camp with a cadet force, the other parent objects as it is child's GCSE year and also said child has been stealing from this parent.

The child has been on lots of trips with school and cadet force, so has not been missing out.

Is there anything the disapproving parent can do? Can they speak to the school and say they object to the child being given time off?

Is this you, or are you asking for someone?

This guidance from the DfE to schools might help.

Wouldn't the disapproving parent need to apply to court for a Prohibited Steps Order because the school cannot actually stop the parent taking the child away even if they do not grant the time off officially. The parent could just say they wont take them and then on the day, just up and go and not bother with school. Only a Prohibited Steps would actually stop the parent from being able to take the child if they were insistent, I would have thought.

That's true - the parent may choose to withdraw the child from school as an unauthorised absence. In the event that one parent objects, it's very unlikely that the school would give permission.

The Local education welfare team would then become involved - and engage with both parents who have equal responsibility to ensure that the child is at school.

The law can only do so much. I think the disapproving parent needs to consider that by entering into a power struggle with the other parent they will be be doing more harm than good. In 10 years time the child missing a few days off school is unlikely to have had much of an impact. Children learn by example from their parents and the distorted communications between parents in a power struggle means the child won't be able to learn how to communicate effectively in their own adulthood relationships.

Assuming the child is almost 16 and wants to go the disapproving parent is likely never to be spoken to again by discounted off spring.

By that age the child is quite likely to simply bunk of school or behave in some other damaging manner to punish their parent for not letting them go.

Certainly not a way of encouraging child to work for their exams. Doubly so if DC is in cadets with the aim of joining the forces.

Collaborate it's my friend who is in the situation. I think they're fed up that 'no' isn't in the other parent's vocabulary. Also, they are mad about the child stealing from them. I can see both parents' viewpoint.